Loading machine



Nov. 2.2, 1932. R. E. scHRoDER LOADING MACHINE Filed March l2, 1930 4Sheets-Sheet l.

ha NA @A Nov. 22, 1932. R, E, SCHRQDER 1,888,868

` LOADING MACHINE Nov. 22, 1932. R. E. SCHRQDER LOADING MACHINE FiledMarch l2 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet www eP/EMM Nov. 22, 1932. R. E. scHRoDERLOADING MACHINE Filed March l2. 1930 4 Sheets-Snead 4 III. r

Patented Nov. Z2, 12932 'PTENT OFECE 0F if-i610, LLEQIS, ASSIGNOR TOGOODMAN MANUFAC- ifGC, lll-LINO S, A. CORPORATION OF LLINOIS LOADINGlfTl-CHINE Application filed 'March 12, 1930. Serial No. 4357064.

This invention relates to improvements in loading machines of the typeadapted to he moved into the material to he loaded and about the mine ontrack wheels on the mine rails or on traction thread devices, and hasamong other objects to provide a loading machine which may readilygather and loa-d loose material such as coal in relatively low narrowworking places which is provid-ed rwith a new and improved form ofgathering mechanism having a loading action similar to that of theordinary hand shovel for increasing the efflici-ency of loading andgathering with a minimum hrealrage of material gathered. y

n carrying out my invention l provide a new and improved form ofgathering mechanism including a plurality of scoops adapted to have aforward horizoi al scraping or digging movement and a. rearward angularconveying movement so to engage and carry the loose material onto aconveyor with iinproved means for continuously operating said scoops ina manner similar to that of an ordinary hand shovel.

@ther objects of my invention will appear from time to time as thisspecification proceeds.

My invention may he more readily understood with Areference to theaccompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a top plan View of the device embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is an enlarged partial fragmentary plan view of the deviceshown in Figure i with parts hrolren away and in section to more clearlyshow the details of my invention;

Figure i is a partial fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4 4- ofFigure l;

Figure 5 is an enlarged partial fragmentary side elevation of the deviceshown in Figure l with parts broken away and in section to more clearlyshow the details of my invention 5 Figure G is an enlarged partialfragmentary side elevation of the device shown in Figure l withdifferent parts broken away and in section than in Figure 5 to showother details of my invention;

Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the front portion of my machine withparts broken away and in section to more clearly show the details of thegathering mechanism;

Figure 8 is an enlarged partial fragmentary view of the front portion ofthe machine to more clearly show the details of the gatherin mechanism;and

Figure 9 is an enlarged partial fragmentary view of the rearward portionof the drive means for the gathering mechanism to more clearly show thedetails of the gathering mechanism.

Lilie numerals refer to like parts throughont the various figures,

`eferring now in particular to the drawings, the device embodying myinvention includes a hase frame l having a gathering element 2projecting forwardly therefrom and a storage and conveying element 8mounted thereon rearwardly of the gathering element 2 for pivotalmovement with respect thereto. rlhe base frame l is supported on aplurality of vlaterally spaced continuous tread devices l-il formovement about a mine.

A motor 5 is supported on the rearward portion of the base frame l andhas driving connection with the continuous tread devices l through asuitable geared reduction; as, for instance; an armature pinion 7 on amotor shaft 8 which drives spur gears 9-9 on longitudinal shafts 10-10spaced on each side of said motor shaft and parallel thereto. A worm llis freely mounted on each shaft 10 and is driven thereby throughsuitable clutch means generally indicated at l2, said clutch means beingherein shown as a friction cone clutch of an ordinary construction. Theworms 11 mesh with and drive worm gears 14 on a transverse shaft 15. Theworm gears 14 each have driving connection with a continuous treaddevice l through a usual drive sprocket in an ordinary manner not hereinshown. Thus. the continuous tread devices 4; may he independentlycontrolled to facilitate turning of the machine; as, for instance; byapplying power to one continuous tread de- 'i keyed on the shaft 27 fordriving` said s. aftvice and releasing power from the oppositecontinuous tread device.

The storage and conveying element 8 comprises a conveyor' frame 17pivoted at its forward end on a base plate 18 to move about the axis ofa transverse shaft 1G. The base plate 18 is mounted on the base traine 1for rotat able movement thereabou 'Balls 19 are interposed between thebase plate 18 and a circular supporting member 2O of the base frame 1. Ashoulder 21 c spending irom the base plate 18 abuts the outer peripheryof the circular supporting member 2O for guiding said plate as it isrotated about said circular supporting member.

A shaft 223 is fixed to the base plate 18 an d depends therefrom and isjournalier in a. boss 24 integral with the supporting member 20. A Wormgear 25 is lined to the lower end of said shaft and is driven by a Worm2U on a shaft 27. A suitable gearing arrangement is provided fordriving` the Worm 2G in opposite directions from the motor 5 vitlioutreversing said motor which herein comprises a pinion 28 on the forwardend of the motor shaft 8, Which motor shaft entends iorivardly beyondthe armature pinion 7. Vlhe pinion 28 meshes with and dri gear on ashalt 80. yll`he shaft 8O is journaied in the base frame 1 and has spurgears 31 and 82 freely mounted thereon. The spur gear 31 messes with anidler gear 83, which idler gear meshes With a spur gear 84e keyed on theshaft 27. The spur gear 32 meshes with a spur an opposite direction thanthe gear Elfi. able clutch means, herein shown as jaw clutciV meansgenerally indicated at 36, are provide to operatively connect either thegear 31 o 32 to the shaft 30 for rotating the base plate 18 and storageand conveying element about the axis of the shaft 23 Without reversingthe motor 5.

Suitable conveying means are carried on the conveyor trame 17, whichmeans herein comprise a belt conveyor 37 having` a p i-rality of flights38 attached thereto. The belt conr-g fici veyor 37 is driven from amotor 38 attached to the conveyor trame 17 through an armature shaft a0,worm 41, Worm gear 4t2, and chain and sprocket drive generally indicatedat 43.

The motor besides driving the conveyor 37 also provides a means forvertically moving the conveyor trame 17 about the axis of the shaft 16.A Worm is "reely mounted on the rearward end ot the armature shalt Ll-Oand may be selectively connected therewith by means of suitable clutchmeans herein shown as a pin clutch 116 of an ordinary construction. A.Worm gear 4:7 on a transverse shatt 18 meshes with and is driven by theWorm 15, rlhe trans erse shaft 4-.8 is journaled in the base plate 18and extends transversely of said base plate on lessees 4. in n 553 andare driven from the transverse shaft 48. Each drive chain 56 hasconnection with the conveyor trame 17 at opposite sides of said conveyorframey said connection herein comprising a lint; 37 pivotally connectedto a depending portion 58 ot said trame. rThus mf y'ement the chains 56in one direction er the ctr raises cr lowers the conveyor rr me 17 toaccommodate said conveyor Ji of mine cars and The Worm and self loclrino'type may be locked in positions with respect to various heights y rootconditions. Worm 17 are oi' the so the conveyor trame 17 its variousdesired to the mate 18.

i ons are provided l gathered by the Jfor guiding the magatneringelement 2,

is operative and the conveying eleed to gatlier material and there areyavailatle in which to gather saidA Said means herein comprises a hoppergenerally indicated at 59.

rlhe hopper slidably mounted on the conveyor trame 17 to compensate forvertical and horizontal movement of said conveyor frame with respect tothe gathering element 2, and includes a detlecting pan 60 adjacent therearward end of the gathering element 2 havin@ G1 thereon adjacent theinner por Vn oi side frame members 62 of the gathering element 2inwardly extending side members 63 are pivotally connected to he sides(S1 or the detlecting pan 60. rlhese iide members are in turn connectedto hinged supports 64 nf'hich are connected to the forward end oin sinepieces 67 slidable in longitudinal guides adjacent each side of theconveyor 37. The side pieces 67 are each provided With a "lshaped foot(Se which foot is slidable in the guides 65 as is shown inY detail i Thepieces 67 extend inoperative; as, for instance, When itv ill l Ylo andhorizontal movement of the conveyor frame 17 and belt conveyor 37 duringthe loading operation.

Referring now in particular to the gathering element 2 forming one ofthe principal features of my invention, a continuous material gatheringdevice has been provided of a novel construction which is moved underthe loose material along the mine bottom in a substantially horizontalplane with an action similar to that of the ordinary hand shovel andwhich raises said loose material and conveys it rearwardly into thehopper 59 and conveyor 37, which conveyor loads the material into a minecar or other suitable receptacle.

The gathering element 2 includes the side frame members 62, whichmembers are connected together' by means of a transversely eX- tendinggirder 71 and a transverse plate 69 near their lower forward ends. Thetop portion of the transverse plate 69 forms a guide for the gatheringmeans while the bottom portion of said transverse plate is adapted toact as a shoe to engage the mine bottom and slide therealong as themachine is moved into the loose material by the continuous treads 4.(See Figure 7.)

The side frame members 62 are mounted on sleeves 70 extending outwardlyfrom opposite sides of the base frame 1. The sleeves 70 are fixed in thebase frame 1 and their outer surface which projects beyond said baseframe serves as a bearing support for the side frame members 62. Leverarms 72 extend rearwardly from the side frame members 82 and areintegral therewith. Crank arms 73 are keyed on opposite ends of atransverse shaft 74. The forward end of each crank arm 73 is forked `andhas a block 75 supported between the prongs of the forked portion bymeans of a pin 76. The block 75 engages aguide 77 in the rearward end ofthe lever arm 72 so that movement of 'A the crank arms 73 about the axisof the shaft 74 pivots the lever arms 72 about the axis of the sleeves70 which in turn raises or lowers the forward portion of the gatheringelement 2.

A lever arm 79 is keyed on the shaft 74 intermediate the ends thereofand is so arranged that it may be engaged by a threaded shaft 80threaded within a worm gear 81. It may be here noted that a space isleft between the lower port-ion of the shaft 80 and lever l whichfriction band is engaged with or disengaged from the brake drum by meansof a suitable system of levers in an ordinary manner. Rotation of theworm gear 81 rotates the threaded shaft 80 and sleeve 84. When thesleeve 84 is held from rotation by the friction band 86, the threadedshaft 80 is moved 'vertically through said sleeve to engage or disengagethe lever arm 79 depending upon the direction of rotation of the wormgear 81 and move the end lof said lever arm downwardly or allow said endto raise to move the transverse shaft 74 about its pivotal axis. Tliuspivotal movement of the transverse shaft 74 causes movement of the crankarms 73 which raises or lowers the forward end of the gathering element2. The worm gear 81 is driven by the motor 5 through a worm 87 on thelongitudinal shaft 30.

It may thus be seen-that a simple means has been provided for raising orlowering the forward portion of the gathering element 2 to compensatefor a rough or uneven mine bottom and to allow the loading machine to bereadily moved about the mine from one working place to another.

Referring now in particular to the details of the continuous gatheringmechanism, details of which are shown in Figures 3, 5, 7, 8 and 9, apair of parallel spaced drive chains `88-are provided for driving thecontinuous gathering mechanism. These drive chains are on opposite sidesof the gathering element 2 near the outer ends thereof, and are drivenfrom the motor 5 through sprockets 89 and drive shaft 90. rThe driveshaft 90 is journaled within the sleeves 70 and the base frame 1, and isdriven from the motor 5 through a longitudinal shaft 93 and a worm andworm gear drive generally indicated at 92. The longitudinal shaft 93 isdriven from the motor shaft 8 through the pinion 28 and spur gear 94fiXed on a clutch member 95 freely mounted on the shaft 93. The forwardface of the clutch member 95 is provided with depressions to receiveballs 96. A sleeve 97 is freely mounted on the shaft 93 and has arearward face 98 adjacent the forward face of the clutch member 95,which rearward face has depressions therein for receiving the balls 96.Suitable compression means are provided to engage the depressions in theface 98 of the sleeve 97 with the balls 96, which means as herein shownincludes a member 99 surrounding the sleeve 97 and abutting a shoulder100 on said sleeve. The member 99 is held in engagement with the sleeve97 by means -of cap screws 101 and compression springs 102. The capscrews 101 are threaded in a flange 103 integral with the clutch member95. A clutch sleeve 105 feathered on the shaft 93 and having suitableclutch jaws thereon engageable with corresponding jaws on the forwardend of the sleeve 97' is provided to drive the shaft 93 from the sleeve97 and spur gear' 94. It

may thus be seen that the shaft 93 is rotated by means of the spur gear94, clutch memprises a plurality of scoops or blades109 ac-' l tuated bydrive chains 110, 110 and 111, 111

having connection with said scoops at opposite sides thereof. The drivecha-ins 110 are located adjacent the inner sides of the drive chains 88in the side frame members 62. Each drive chain 110 is threaded under andaround idler sprockets 112 and 113 near the lowerrearward portion of thegathering' element 2, an idler sprocket-1111 near the lower forwardportion of the gathering element s, under idler sprockets 115 and 116and over a driving sprocket 118, which sprocket is driven from the drivechain 83 by `means of a stub shaft 119 and driven sprocket 120. SeeFigures 3 and 7.

The drive chains 111 are located adjacent the inner sides of the drivechains 110 in the side frame members 62 and each drive chain 111 isthreaded around a drive sprocket 121 near the forward lower'portion ofthe I@gathering element 2, over an idler sprocket 122 near thetopportion of said gathering element and around a guide shoe 123 near thelower rearward portion of saidv gathering element.

rllhe driving sprockets 121 are keyed on opposite ends of a drive shaft1.21 and are driven from said shaft by means of driven sprockets125 onsaid shaft. Drive chains 126 are threaded over the driven sprockets 125and are driven from a transverse drive shaft 127 by means of driving`sprockets 128. The drive shaft 127 is in turn driven from the drivingchains 88 by means of driven sprock-v a pin 137. The arm 136 extends ina plane parallel to the plane of the scoop 109 and has a slot 133extending' longitudinally thereof for a portion of its length, whichslot is engaged by a pin 140 fixed to the inner side of a linl 141 ofthe drive chain 110. See Figures 3 and 9.

lt should here be noted that the scoops 109 Vare pivotally supported atopposite ends on l Leaasee the drive'chains 111 and are thus vmovedaround the orbital path of the drive chains 111 as said chains aredriven by the chains 88. The scoops 109 also have slidable connectionwith the drive chains 110 at opposite ends thereof, which slidable pointof connection is rearwardly of the point of connection of the scoop tothe drive chains 111.L Thus the scoops 109 are supported on the drivechains 111 and 110 and are guided by the drive chains 110 as they aremoved about the path of the drive chain 111. 'lhe relative speeds of.the drive chains 110 and 111 may be varied but said chains ar preferablydriven at the same rate ol speed. The path of the drive chain 110 is soarranged with' respect to the path of the drive chain 111 as to move thescoops 109 into the loose material in a substantially horizontal planeand pivot thei u iwardly, raise them and move then rea. Lly and upwardlyalong` the gathering; c.. ent to discharge the material into the hopper59 and conveyor 37. The scoop: 109 are then moved downwardly and pivotedv in a position to again enter the loose i lt may thus be seen that i iscoop 109 is similar to that Y lated shovel, which action promeans forloading and causes muni amount of breakage of material. in 1-12supported on the girder 71 in u manner and extends between the drive crains 111 and follows the contour of said ciains from the lower forwardportion of tne gathering element 2 to the upper rearward portionthereof. T he contour of this pan may be clearly seen in Figure 6 and itshould be noted that the distance from the 'transverse plate 69 to theforward end of the pan 142 is such as to allow the scoop 109 to passtherethrough and prevent loss of loose material. as said scoop is raisedand that the rearwa 1d portion of said pan is so arranged with respectto the deiiecting pan as to prevent loss of loose material as it isexpelled from said scoop to the deflecting pan 60 and hopper 59.

lt may thus be seen that a new and improved loadino machine has beenprovided which comprises a gathering` element and a storage andconveying element and is a mobile unit readily movable about a mine.rlhe gathering element is provided with a plurality of continuouslymovable scoops movable longitudinally forward into the loose material ina substantially horizontal plane, and pivoted vertically and movedrearwardly and upwardly to raise the loose material and discharge itinto a hopper and conveyor. The scoops are then moved verticallydownwardly and pivoted forwardly to again enter the loose materialadjacent the mine bottom and substantially parallel thereto. Thegathering element may be moved into the loose map 1 or a il duces an ainfn terial on the continuous tread devices 4 and lessees Q may slidefreely on the mine bottom and be adjuster to uneven mine bottoms orraised above the mine bottom for travelling about the mine, while theconveyor frame l? may be vertically and horizontally adjusted toaccommodate various heights of mine cars and varying roof conditions andload material into said mine cars when the gathering element is atvarying angular positions with respect to the mine car.

l'Vliile l have herein shown and described one embodiment of myinvention., it will be understood that the construction and arrangementof the various parts may be altered or changed without departing fromthe spirit and scope thereof, and that l do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the precise form illustrated, excepting as it may belimited in the appended claims.

l claim as my invention:

l. ln a loading machine, base frame, and a gathering element supportedthereon including a frame member pivotally supported on said base frameand extending forwardly therefrom and having a transversely extendingbottom surface adapted to slidably engage the ground and a plurality ofcontinuously movable scoops extensible longitudinally forwardly of saidbase frame beyond the forward end thereof to penetrate a. pile of loosematerial along the ground and then pivotally movable upwardly andrearwardly to move said material into a conveyor.

2. In a loading machine, abase frame, and a gathering element extendingforwardly therefrom including a frame member pivotally supported on saidbase frame and eX- tending forwardly therefrom and having a transverselyextending bottom surface adapted to slidably engage the ground and aplurality of continuously movable scoops suppoited by saidV frame memberfor movement in a vertical orbital path to engage a pile of loosematerial along the ground forwardly of said base frame and raise andconvey lsaid loose material into a conveyor.

3. ln a. loading machine, a base frame, agathering element including aforwardly eX- tending frame member pivotally mounted on said base frameto move about a horizontal transverse aXis and having a transverselyextending bottom surface adapt-ed to slidtbly engage the ground duringthe loading operation, and Igathering mechanism carried by saidgathering element comprising a plurality of scoops successively movableforwardly along the ground beyond said. base frame to longitudinallypenetrate a pile of loose inaterial adjacent the ground., and thenpivotally upwardly and rearwardly to raise said loose material anddischarge it into a conveyor.

l. ln a loading machine, a base frame, a gathering element including aforwardly ei;- tending frame member pivotally mounted on said base frameto move about a horizontal transverse airis and having a transverselyextending bottom surface adapted to slidably engage the ground during1the loading operat n d g boring mecnaiiisni carried by ement comprisinga plurality y le in s vertical orbital path to penet .t ng, udinallypile of loose material adjacent and parallel to the ground f and elevateand disnatcrial into a conveyor.

.in loading machine, a base frame, a clement icluding a forwardly eX-ing .frame member pivotally mounted on said fr? e to move about ahorizontal trzrnsverse ai s having a transversely exte fing bottomsurface adapted to slidably o the ground during the loading operation,and gathering mechanism carried by gatheri element comprising a scoopsupport-ed on orbitally movable drive chains at opposte ends th 1eof,and movable forwardly along the ground beyond said base frame topenetrate a pile of loose material ent the ground and tuen pivotallyuploose s.) tend t: n n wai\y ant rearwardly to raise said loosematerial and discharge it into a conveyor.

G. ln a loading machine, a base frame, a gatho g ele nent includingavforwardly eX- teiidiiig frame .member pivotally mounted on said baseframe to move about a horizontal transverse an. and having atransversely eX- tending bottom surface adapted to slidably engage theground during the loading operation, and, heriiig mechanism carried by Lelement comprising a scoop f aported on vertically disposed drivemembers movable in non-circular orbital paths at opposite ends thereoffor moving said scoop forwardly along the ground beyond said base frameto penetrate a pile of loose material. adjacent thel ground and thenpivotally upwardly and rearwardly to raise said loose material anddischarge it into a conveyor.

Y. ln loadingh machine, a base frame, a gathering el ement pivotallymounted thereon to move about a horizontal transverse axis and extendingforwardly therefrom, and gathering mechanism carried by said gathering`element comprising a scoop having piv- ,tal connection with a verticallydisposed orbitally movable non-circular drive member, and hac-:fingslidable connection with another vertically disposed orbitally movablenoncircu'ir drive member for moving said scoop forwardly along` 'theground to penetrate a pile of loose material adjacent the mine u thenpivotally upwardly and o raise said loose material and llS ing elementcomprising a scoop having pivotal connection at opposite ends thereofwith vertically disposed orbitally movable noncircular drive members,and having slidable connection with other vertically disposed orbitallymovable non-circular drive members at opposite ends thereof, said drivemembers each being driven at relative speeds with respect to each otherto move said scoop forwardly along the ground to penetrate a pile ofloose material adjacent the ground and then pivotally upwardly andrearwardly to elevate said loose material and discharge it into aconveyor.

9. ln a loading machine, a base frame, a gathering element pivotallymounted thereon to move about a horizontal transverse axis and extendingforwardly therefrom, and gatheringl mechanism carried by said gatheringelement comprising a plurality of scoops having pivotal connection atopposite ends thereof with vertically disposed orbitally movablenon-circular flexible drive members, and having slidable connection withother vertically disposed orbitally movable noncircular flexible drivemembers at opposite ends thereof, said drive members each being drivenat relative speeds with respect to each other to move said scoopssuccessively forwardly along the ground to penetrate a pile of loosematerial adjacent the ground and then pivotally upwardly to elevate saidloose material and discharge it onto a conveyor.

10. In a loading machine, a base frame, a gathering element pivotallymounted thereon to move about a horizontal transverse axis and extendingforwardly therefrom, and gathering mechanism carried by said gatheringelement comprising a. plurality of scoops having pivotal connection atopposite ends thereof with vertically disposed orbitally movablenon-circular drive chains and having slidable connection-with othervertically disposed orbitally movable non-circular drive chains atopposite ends thereof, said second mentioned drive chains being movablein another vertical orbital non-circular path and said drive chains eachbeing drivcn at relative speeds with respect to each other to move saidscoops successively forwardly along the ground to penetrate a pile ofloose material adjacent the ground and then pivotally upwardly toelevate said loose material and discharge it onto a conveyor.

ll. In a loading machine, a base frame, a gathering element pivotallymounted thereon to move about a horizontal transve 1se axis andextending forwardly therefrom, and gathering mechanism carried by saidgathering element comprising a scoop having pivotal connection atopposite ends thereof with drive chains movable in a vertically disposednon-circular orbital path, and having slidable connection with otherdrive chains movable in a different vertically disposed noncircularorbital path, said slidable connection with said second mentioned drivechain being rearwardly of said scoop and said point of pivotalconnection with said first mentioned chain.

l2. ln a loading machine, a base frame, a gathering element pivotallymounted thereon to move about a horizontal transverse axis and extendingforwardly therefrom, and gathering mechanism carried by said gatheringelement comprising a scoop having pivotal connection at opposite endsthereof with drive chains movable in a vertically disposed non-circularorbita-l path, and having slidable connection with other drive chainsmovable in a different vertically disposed nonircular orbital path, saidslidable connection wfth said second mentioned drive chain beingrearwardly of said scoop and said point of pivotal connection with saidrst mentioned chain, and means for driving said chains at relative sDeeds with respect to each other to move said scoops successivelyforwardly along the ground to penetrate a pile of loose materialadjacent the ground and then pivotally upwardly and rearwardly toelevate said loose material and discharge it onto a conveyor.

i3. ln a loading machine, a base frame, a conveyor thereon andpivot-ally movable with respect thereto about a vertical axis, agathering element pivotally mounted on said base frame forwv rdiy ofsaid conveyor to move about a horizontal transverse axis so as to bemoved into and out of engagement with the ground and having atransversely extending bottom surface adapted to slidably engage theground during the loading operation, and gathering mechanism carried bysaid gathering element comprising a plurality of scoops successivelymovable forwardly along the ground beyond said base frame in a planeparallel to the ground to penetrate a pile of loose material adjacentthe ground and then pivotally upwardly and rearwardly to elevate saidloose material and discharge it onto said conveyor.

lll. ln a loading machine, a base frame supported on a. pair oflaterally spaced continuous tr ad devices, a motor, a conveyor supportedon said base frame for pivotal movement with respect thereto about avertif cal axis, means connectible with said motor for moving saidconveyor about its axis of pivotal connection to said base frame, agathering element pivotally mounted on said base frame forwardly of saidconveyor to move about a horizontal transverse axis so as to be movedinto and out of engagement with the ground and having a transverselyextending bottom surface adapted to slidably engageithe ground duringthe loading operation, means connectible with said motor for moving saidgathering element into and out of engagement with the ground, gatheringmechanism carried by said gathering element comprising a plurality ofscoops, and means for driving said scoops from said motor forsuccessively moving said scoops forwardly along the ground beyond saidbase 'frame in a plane parallel to the ground to penetrate a pile ofloose material adjacent the ground, and then upwardly and rearwardly toelevate said loose material and discharge it onto said conveyor.

l5. ln a loading machine, a base frame supported on a pair of laterallyspaced con tinuous tread devices, a motor, a conveyor supported on saidbase trame for pivotal movement with respect thereto about a verticalaxis, means connectible with said motor for moving said conveyor aboutits airis of pivotal connection to said base trame, a gathering elementpivotally mounted on said base frame forwardly of said conveyor to moveabout a horizontal transverse airis so as to be moved into and out ofengagement with the ground and adapted to slidably engage the groundduring the loading operation, means connectible with said motor tormoving said gathering element into and out of engagement with theground, gathering mechanism carried by said gathering element comprisinga plurality et scoops, and means for driving said scoops from said motorfor successively moving said scoops forwardly along the ground in aplane parallel to the ground to penetrate a pile of loose materialadjacent the ground, and then upwardly and rearwardly to elevate saidloose material and discharge it onto said conveyor comprising aplurality orn drive chains connected to each o't said scoops and movablein different vertically disposed non-circular orbital paths.

16. ln a coal loading machine, a base frame, a motor, a gatheringelement forwardly of said motor and movable into and out of engagementWith a mine bottom, gathering mechanism carried by said gatheringelement comprising a plurality of scoops movable in a verticallydisposed non-circular orbital path, and means for driving said scoopsfrom said motor in said vertically disposed noncircular orbital pathcomprising a plurality of drive members connectible with said scoops andmovable in dinerent vertically disposed non-circular orbital paths.

17. ln a coal loading machine base frame, a motor, a gathering elementforwardly of said motor and movable into and out of engagement with amine bottom, gathering mechanism. carried by said gathering elementcomprising` a plurality7 of scoops movable in a vertically disposednon-circular orbital. path, and means for driving said scoops from saidmotor in said vertically disposed noncircular orbital path comprising aplurality of flexible drive n'iembers counectible with opposite sides ofsaid scoops and movable in a plurality of vertically disposednon-circular orbital paths.

18. ln a coal loading machine, a base frame, a motor, a gatheringelement forwardly of said motor and movable into and out of engagementWith a mine bottom, gathering` mechanism carried by said gatheringelement comprising a plurality of scoops movable in a verticallydisposed non-circular orbital path, and means for driving said scoopstrom said motor in said vertically disposed non-circular orbital pathcomprising flexible drive members connectible With opposite sides ofeach of said scoops near the rear-Ward end thereof andv movable in a vertically disposed non-circular orbital path, and other flexible drivemembers connectible with opposite sides or" each of said scoopsrearwardly of the point of connection of each of said scoops to saidfirst mentioned flexible drive Vmembers and movable in a dilinerentvertically disposed non-circular orbital path than said first mentionedilexible drive members.

19. ln a coal loading machine, a base trame, a motor, a gatheringelement forward ly of said motor and movable into and out or" engagementwith a mine bottom, gathering mechanism carried by said gatheringelement comprising a plurality of scoops movable in a verticallydisposed noncircular orbital path, and means for driving said scoopsfrom said motor in said vertically disposed non-circular orbital pathcomprising drive chains pivotally connectible With opposite sides oteach of said scoops near the rearward end thereoil and movable in avertically disposed non-circular orbital path, and otaer drive chainshaving sliding connection With opposite sides of each of said scoopsrearwardly of the point of connection ot each of said scoops to saidfirst mentioned drive members, said last mentioned drive chains beingmovable in different vertically disposed non-circular orbital paths thansaid first mentioned drive chains, all of said chains successivelymoving said scoops 'forwardly alon the ground in a plane substantiallyparallel with the ground to penetrate a pile oi loose material adjacentthe ground, and then pivotally upwardly and rearwardly to elevate saidloose material and discharge it onto a conveyor.

20. ln a coal loading machine, a base frame, a motor, a gatheringelement forward ly of motor and movable into and out of engagement witha mine bottom, gathering mechanism carried by said gathering elementcomprising a plurality of scoops movable in a vertically disposednon-circular orbital path, and means for driving said scoops from motorin said vertically disposed non-circular orbital path comprising a drivechain pivotally connectible With each side of each of said scoops nearthe rearward end thereof and movable in a vertically disposednon-Circular orbital path, and a guiding chain having slidableconnection with each side of each of said scoops rearwardly of the pointof connection of each of said scoops to said first mentined drivemembers, said guiding chains being movable in dillerent verticallydisposed noncircular orbital paths than said driving chains, and meansfor driving said driving chains and said guiding chains simultaneouslyat relative speeds With respect to each other for successively movingsaid scoops forwardly along the ground in a plane substantially parallelWith the ground to penetrate a pile of loose material adjacent theground and then pivotally upwardly and rearwardly to elevate said loosematerial and discharge it onto a conveyor.

Signed at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of lllinois.

ROBERT E. SCHRODER.

